The post-World War 2 period saw the emergence of several peace-keeping institutions. The Council of Europe is one such international organization tasked with the responsibility to uphold democracy, human rights, and the rule of law throughout Europe. In times of war, the world bears witness to an overwhelming breach of human rights–Russia’s recent war against Ukraine is a case in point. During these difficult times, how does this organization–where expulsion of member states as punishment also means removing them from its purview of justice–maintain its integrity and fulfil its role?

In the latest episode of War and Peace, Kanstantsin Dzehtsiarou, Professor in Human Rights Law at the University of Liverpool, and Vassilis P Tzevelekos, Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Liverpool and a Member of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee, put forth the suggestion that with the change in international law over the years, stricter sanctions should be in place to prevent human rights atrocities. They discuss this in context of their work “The Aggression Against Ukraine and the Effectiveness of Inter-state Cases in Case of War”, published by Brill.

Guests:Kanstantsin Dzehtsiarou and Vassilis P Tzevelekos
Host: Leigh Giangreco